The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset

Jaci Wilson
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Running

Can you keep going when everything in you wants to stop? One More Hour is the podcast for backyard ultra runners, ultramarathoners, trail runners, and people who want to master the ultrarunning mindset and push their limits. Hosted by run coach and backyard ultra expert Jaci Wilson, this show dives into the strategies, stories, and science behind going one more hour. Each week, you’ll hear from athletes, race directors, sports psychologists, sleep specialists, nutrition experts, etc., on what it takes to thrive in endurance running and timed races. From fueling and pacing strategies, to building mental toughness and overcoming fatigue, you’ll gain the tools to train smarter, race stronger, and stay in the game when it gets tough. Whether you’re training for your first ultramarathon, curious about the backyard ultra format, or chasing a new PR, this podcast will help you go beyond what you thought possible. Hit follow and join the community of runners learning to embrace the challenge, trust the process, and keep going, one more hour at a time.

  1. 5h ago

    The Road to Big’s (Ep.4): Jennifer Russo | Team USA

    Welcome to The Road to Big’s, a special series from The One More Hour Podcast featuring the athletes representing Team USA at the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships. Jennifer Russo is heading back to Big’s for her sixth consecutive year. With more than a dozen backyard ultras under her belt, a resume packed with 100- and 200-mile races, and a 2023 performance that made her the first woman to run 300 miles in the backyard format, Jennifer has been a major part of the growth of women’s participation in the sport. In this episode, Jennifer and Jaci talk about: What keeps bringing her back to Big’s year after yearThe unique dynamic of a Team USA year and this year’s mix of veterans and newcomersWhy she’s especially excited to see three women on Team USAThe challenges of the Big’s course, especially the cold nights and the third dayHer strategy for conserving energy and hanging farther back this yearWhy she tries not to know what yard she’s onWhat she’s learned from 100- and 200-mile races and what the backyard has taught her in returnHer experience becoming the first woman to reach 300 miles in a backyard ultraThe importance of not comparing your race to what everyone else is doingWhat she hopes to learn about herself at this year’s Team ChampionshipsThe grit she believes she brings to Team USAWhy she wants to run with gratitude and give everything she hasJennifer also shares her prediction for Team USA and why she thinks it’s time for a woman to break 100 yards. The Satellite World Championships kick off October 17, 2026, with Team USA competing on the Big’s course in Bell Buckle, Tennessee. The Road to Big’s continues with more Team USA athlete interviews leading into race day, followed by post-race conversations after the clock stops. 👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset. ⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop. 📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast 📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com 🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)  ⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

    The Road to Big’s (Ep.4): Jennifer Russo | Team USA

  2. 1d ago

    The Road to Big's (Ep.3): Jon Noll | Team USA

    Welcome to The Road to Big’s, a special series from The One More Hour Podcast featuring the athletes representing Team USA at the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships. Jon Noll is heading back to Big’s for his sixth consecutive year, after setting the all-American record last year with 111 hours and 462.5 miles. In this episode, Jon and Jaci talk about: Why Big’s has been his primary racing focus for the past five yearsWhy he prefers the team years and the camaraderie they createWhat makes this Team USA squad so excitingHow his training and approach have evolved over the yearsHis biggest change in sleep strategy: stop stressing about sleep and rest whenever you canRunning through the night with Harvey Lewis and the power of having someone beside youWhat went wrong during night five last year and how that experience is shaping this year’s planHis “one hour at a time” approach to an event that could last 100+ hoursHam and cheese sandwiches, oatmeal, caffeine, and fueling late in the raceWhy knowing the Big’s course so well can be an advantageThe role he hopes to play in helping his teammates through the day loopsHis prediction for Team USA and why he thinks three or four Americans could reach 100 hoursAnd the one thing that matters most to Jon: pushing all the way to his limitFollow Jon: Strava Instagram @jonnoll Facebook The Satellite World Championships kick off October 17, 2026, with Team USA competing on the Big’s course in Bell Buckle, Tennessee. The Road to Big’s continues with more Team USA athlete interviews leading into race day, followed by post-race conversations after the clock stops. 👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset. ⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop. 📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast 📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com 🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)  ⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

    The Road to Big's (Ep.3): Jon Noll | Team USA

  3. 2d ago

    (Ep.55) Your Brain Is Doing Its Job: The Psychology of the Backyard Ultra with Sarah Strong

    What actually happens in your brain when you're 20, 40, or 60 hours into a backyard ultra and suddenly everything feels harder than it should? In this episode of The One More Hour Podcast, I'm joined by Sarah Strong, aka The Trail Therapist, a licensed clinical social worker, certified ultrarunning coach, and ultrarunner who specializes in the mental side of performance. We talk about what happens when your brain starts telling you, "I can't do this anymore," and how to respond without automatically believing every thought that shows up. Sarah breaks down mindfulness, anxiety, fear, negative thoughts, nighttime hypervigilance, and the tendency to start negotiating with yourself deep into an ultra. We also talk about why trying to argue logically with yourself often doesn't work when you're highly activated and what you can do instead. You'll hear practical strategies for: Staying present instead of thinking 12 hours aheadRecognizing when your brain is spiralingShifting your attention out of your head and into your body or environmentHandling the heightened anxiety and fear that can come with running at nightPreparing for the "defense attorney" in your brain that starts building a case for why you should quitUsing visualization and mantras to make mental skills more automaticHelping your crew support you without trying to "fix" your thoughtsCreating a plan for the predictable mental challenges you're likely to faceProcessing a DNF without turning one race into a judgment about who you are as a runnerSarah also shares specific tools runners can practice in training, including body scans, mindful check-ins, chunking, environmental awareness, counting, breathing, visualization, and her "SNACK" approach to getting out of a spiral. One of my biggest takeaways from this conversation: the goal isn't to get rid of difficult thoughts or feelings. It's to notice them, create some space from them, regulate your body, and then decide what to do next. Because your brain is going to be there for every mile your legs are there for. It deserves some training, too. 👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset. ⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop. 📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast 📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com 🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)  ⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

  4. 3d ago

    The Road to Big's (Ep.2): Scott Snell | Team USA

    Welcome to The Road to Big’s, a special series from The One More Hour Podcast featuring the athletes representing Team USA at the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships. Scott Snell is no stranger to Big’s. He has competed at the event multiple times, including on Team USA, and this year he’s heading back with a mindset shaped by those past experiences and a renewed appreciation for what makes the team format so special. Scott and Jaci talk about:  What keeps bringing him back to Big’s year after year Why he actually prefers the team years to the individual World Championships  How his mindset changed between the 2022 and 2024 team events  The power of having teammates beside you when the race gets hard  The difference between racing for your own performance and running every yard as a point for Team USA  How he balances high hopes and big goals with realistic expectations  A memorable sleep-deprived moment from the 2024 race involving Scott, Cody, and some very enthusiastic “USA!” chants And the mindset Scott hopes to carry through four days and four nights: focus on the process, not the endingScott also shares his prediction for Team USA, and it's a big one. 👀 The Satellite World Championships kick off October 17, 2026, with Team USA competing on the Big’s course in Bell Buckle, Tennessee. Follow Scott on Instagram: @beastcoasttrailrunning Use code SCOTT10 for 10% off at Mount Coast. The Road to Big’s continues with more Team USA athlete interviews leading into the World Championships, followed by post-race conversations after the clock stops. 👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset. ⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop. 📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast 📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com 🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)  ⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

    The Road to Big's (Ep.2): Scott Snell | Team USA

  5. 4d ago ·  Bonus

    The Road to Big's (Ep.1): Scott Martin | Team USA

    Welcome to The Road to Big's, a special series from The One More Hour Podcast featuring the athletes representing Team USA at the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships. In this episode, Jaci sits down with Scott Martin, an ultrarunner with more than 120 races on UltraSignup and a recent 78-yard backyard PR at Banana Slug, where he covered 325 miles. Scott earned a spot on Team USA two years ago but was unable to compete because of injury. Now he's back and heading to Big's with a much bigger question in mind: How far can he go? Scott and Jaci talk about:  What it means to finally get his shot at Big's after missing out two years ago  Representing Team USA and the unique dynamic of competing as part of a team  What he learned from his 78-yard performance at Banana Slug  Why he believes the key to a backyard is simply starting the next loop The mental challenge of watching other runners and assuming they're doing better than you  His goal of experiencing a fourth night of backyard running  Why the difficult parts of the race can actually become easier the longer he goes And what it would mean to Scott to truly find his limit, even if he isn't the last runner standing Scott also shares the fascinating story behind how his diagnosis with ankylosing spondylitis changed his relationship with running and ultimately helped shape the consistent, high-volume runner he is today. The Satellite World Championships kick off October 17, 2026, with Team USA competing on the Big's course in Bell Buckle, Tennessee. Follow Scott: Instagram @cavemanrunmts Strava Facebook Scott's sponsers: Evolution Healthcare & Fitness Speedland Squirrel's Nut Butter Work Epic Follow The One More Hour Podcast for more The Road to Big's interviews with Team USA leading into the World Championships, followed by post-race conversations after the clock stops. 👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset. ⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop. 📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast 📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com 🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)  ⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

    The Road to Big's (Ep.1): Scott Martin | Team USA

  6. Oct 1

    (Ep.54) The One More Hour Podcast is ONE!!! GIVEAWAY!

    🎉 The One More Hour Podcast is ONE! One year ago, I hit publish on an idea I'd been sitting on for more than a year. I was scared, overthinking the technical details, trying to figure everything out before I started, and ultimately learning that sometimes you just have to stop waiting until you're ready and take the next step. In this one-year anniversary episode, I'm looking back at Year One of The One More Hour Podcast: 54 episodes, 26 guests, and a whole lot of conversations about backyard ultras, ultrarunning, and the mindset of going one more. I'll highlight some of the most popular episodes and biggest topics we've covered, including nutrition, pacing, camp setup, crewing, foot care, goal setting, race strategy, mindset, and backyard simulations. Then we'll look ahead to Year Two, including exclusive pre- and post-race interviews with Team USA around the Backyard Ultra World Championships, conversations with sleep experts, physical therapists, sports psychology experts, and runners from around the world. Plus, I'm sharing details about the upcoming Backyard Battle Plan webinar and a one-year anniversary giveaway: a FREE 45-minute backyard ultra coaching consultation. 🎁Put your name in the hat for the giveaway here. Rules to win: Follow @theonemorehourpodcast on Instagram.Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.Fill out the giveaway submission here.Thank you for listening, sharing, sending questions, coming up to me at races, and being part of this first year. Here's to another year of great guests, learning, stats, backyard ultra conversations, and going one more. I'll see you in the next hour. 👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset. ⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop. 📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast 📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com 🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)  ⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

  7. Sep 29

    (Ep.53) Your Backyard Ultra is Supposed to be Hard!

    What if the hard part of your run isn't actually the problem? This episode of The One More Hour Podcast talks about one of the strangest contradictions in endurance sports: we spend months preparing ourselves for discomfort, and then act surprised when discomfort actually shows up. “This is supposed to be hard” doesn't mean you should ignore pain, injury, or warning signs. It means that difficult, uncomfortable, exhausting moments are a normal part of asking your body and mind to do something challenging. Hard doesn't automatically mean bad. Tired doesn't automatically mean unprepared. And struggling doesn't automatically mean you need to quit. Jaci breaks down the difference between a physical sensation and the story your brain creates around that sensation, drawing on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). When you're exhausted, “my legs are heavy” can quickly become “I'm cooked,” “my race is over,” or “I can't do this.” Learning to notice those thoughts without automatically obeying them can change the way you respond to difficult moments. You'll also hear why Jaci intentionally wants athletes to experience imperfect training, how to practice problem-solving before race day, why preparation doesn't eliminate uncertainty, and how to tell the difference between “I don't want to feel this anymore” and “I cannot continue.” Whether you're struggling through a long run, questioning your training, or sitting at 2 a.m. in the middle of a backyard ultra wondering why you ever signed up for this, this episode is a reminder that you don't have to make the discomfort disappear. You just have to decide what comes next. One step. One mile. One yard. One decision. This is hard, and I'm still here. 👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset. ⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop. 📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast 📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com 🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)  ⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

  8. Sep 22

    (Ep.52) Your Training Plan Cannot Save You From Poor Backyard Ultra Pacing

    You can have the mileage, the strength, the aerobic base, and the ultra experience, and still have a terrible backyard ultra if you pace it poorly. In this episode of The One More Hour Podcast, we’re talking all about backyard ultra pacing and why fitness alone isn’t enough. The goal of a backyard isn't to see how fast you can run 4.167 miles. It's to find an effort you can repeat over and over again for an unknown amount of time. We’ll talk about: Why the first few yards can be the most dangerous because they feel so easyWhy pace and effort are not the same thing, especially on trailsHow walking can help you conserve energy and go furtherWhy trying to bank extra time at camp can actually cost you laterHow to think about your time at camp without treating a specific number as a ruleWhy going from 10 minutes back at camp to 8 minutes doesn't automatically mean you're failingThe small pacing decisions that quietly add up: urging, hammering hills, bombing downhills, chasing other runners, and running faster because you're boredHow to use heart rate as information without letting your watch dictate your raceWhy your pacing strategy needs to account for the course, weather, terrain, fitness, crew, fueling, and your individual needsHow crew can remove friction and allow you to spend less energy on the courseWhy faster runners can actually make some of the biggest pacing mistakesHow to practice your pacing through backyard simulations and course-specific trainingWhat to do when your loop times start getting slowerWhy seven minutes back at camp is data, not a predictionHow to adjust your strategy without panicking when the race doesn't feel the way you expectedMost importantly, we'll talk about the difference between having the fitness to go far and actually knowing how to use that fitness. Your training plan can build the capacity. Pacing determines how much of that capacity you actually get to use. Don't pace for the yard you're running. Pace for the race you're trying to finish. One yard at a time. One hour at a time. One decision at a time. If you want help developing an individualized backyard ultra strategy, pacing plan, or race-day approach, reach out to Jaci about The Backyard Ultra Battle Plan or one-on-one coaching. 👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset. ⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop. 📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast 📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com 🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)  ⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

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About

Can you keep going when everything in you wants to stop? One More Hour is the podcast for backyard ultra runners, ultramarathoners, trail runners, and people who want to master the ultrarunning mindset and push their limits. Hosted by run coach and backyard ultra expert Jaci Wilson, this show dives into the strategies, stories, and science behind going one more hour. Each week, you’ll hear from athletes, race directors, sports psychologists, sleep specialists, nutrition experts, etc., on what it takes to thrive in endurance running and timed races. From fueling and pacing strategies, to building mental toughness and overcoming fatigue, you’ll gain the tools to train smarter, race stronger, and stay in the game when it gets tough. Whether you’re training for your first ultramarathon, curious about the backyard ultra format, or chasing a new PR, this podcast will help you go beyond what you thought possible. Hit follow and join the community of runners learning to embrace the challenge, trust the process, and keep going, one more hour at a time.

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